Only Happy When It Rains?

Despite Garbage's admonitions to the contrary, I'm not happy when the weather is inclement.

I just want to stick my head in an oven.Like this morning.No need for an intervention. I wouldn't want to rob you readers of the joy of seeing me name-drop my way through a blog...because that would be selfish. As self-absorbed as I am (yeah, like you aren't) I'd like to stick around a bit longer. Even if it's just to taunt you. I've spent minutes scouring this month's press releases and transcribing the latest art gossip, so you can get your art fix to get you through the day and don't need to wallow in the doldrums like ART WHORE.Because that's the kind of guy I am.

I think I dated this woman once...

Apricot Mantle

Opening October 9th is "Monstoberfest" at Rothick Art Haus, "a celebration of all that [is] creepy, cruel and remotely cute about monsters."Curated by Irene Mendonis of Mana Studios, the exhibit features many of the studio's artists.Plus, the first 100 get Monstoberfest glow-in-the-dark mugs.Do you really need any more info?Rothick Art Haus is at 170 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. For more info, call 714-829-8283 or visit their website www.rothick.com.

Why does this remind me of Pinky and the Brain?

Brandt Peters

++++ While I am no longer a believer--I read Christopher Hitchens' book God is Not Great: Why Religion Poisons Everythingand it blew that idea out of my brainpan--I still get a thrill when I see religious art. The feelings may change, but they never really go away, do they?If that kind of art holds resonance for you, MUZEO is opening "Divine Reflections: Russian Icons and Artifacts (17th c. to 20th c.)" on October 10. Featuring over 450 pre-Soviet painted icon panels, wood carvings and sand-cast metals from all levels of Russian society, MUZEO has combined four different exhibitions to create this one.MUZEO is located at 241 S. Anaheim Blvd. in Anaheim. Info is available at 714-956-8936 or visit their website at www.muzeo.org. ++++ Those of you following the progress of Hibbleton gallery in Fullerton should know that they have moved to a new space just a few blocks away from their old location. The new, bigger and (I'm told) better space is at 223 W. Santa Fe Ave. Their latest show, "Death and Remembrance in Latin America" opened Oct. 1.One of the curators, Jesse LaTour, is also running for Fullerton City Council. You may have seen one of several campaign posters in local storefront windows.

Vote for Jesse LaTour

Jesse LaTour

Not sure how good an idea THAT is--time spent on politics often overshadows time spent on art--but it's always refreshing when a passionate man (or woman) with a brain wants to make the city he lives in a bit better. If you want to give him a hand, you can reach him at the new Hibbleton: 714-441-2857. ++++ One of my favorite local artists, Steve Elkins, is premiering his new film The Reach of Resonance at Hibbleton on Friday, Oct. 23. Here's an unofficial teaser trailer:

Steve sent me a link to watch the film on-line (because I'm a lucky fucker and you're not) and I'll be doing an interview with him for Art Whore just before his film opens, so stay tuned.

++++

I am officially declaring October John Paul Jones month, since two exhibitions (one at SCAPE and another a few weeks later at Laguna Art Museum), and Mike McGee's 1999 book on the artist, John Paul Jones: The Pursuit of Beauty's Perfect Proof, will be getting a lot of attention this month.The late Jones--former Laguna Beach resident and founder of the printmaking programs at both UCLA and UC Irvine--has a solo exhibition at SCAPE | Southern California Art Projects + Exhibitions, opening Oct. 23. Celebrating over fifty years of his work, the gallery will have over 25 prints, sculptures and paintings on display.SCAPE is located at 2859 East Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar. For more info, call 949-723-3406 or vist their website at www.scapesite.com.Laguna Art Museum presents their retrospective from the Museum's extensive collection, titled simply "John Paul Jones," on October 30th, curated by Cal State Fullerton Professor McGee. Accompanying the Jones exhibit is "Megan Hart Jones: A Tribute," featuring work by the artist's daughter who died tragically at the age of 21.

Dave Barton has written for the OC Weekly for over twenty years, the last eight as their lead art critic. He has interviewed artists from punk rock photographer Edward Colver to monologist Mike Daisey, playwright Joe Penhall to culture jammer Ron English.